Why Corregidor Island is special ?

Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is an island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of Manila Bay and the City of Manila from attacks by enemy warships in the event of war. Located 48 kilometres (30 mi) inland, Manila has been the largest city and the most important seaport in the Philippines for centuries, from the colonial rule of Spain, Japan and the United States, to the establishment of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946.

During World War II, Corregidor played an important role during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces. Heavily bombarded in the latter part of the war, the ruins left on the island serve as a military memorial to American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers who served or lost their lives on the island. Corregidor is one of the important historic and tourist sites in the country.

What to explore at Corregidor Island?

Corregidor is a historical site and a tourist destination. The island is divided into sections, the "head" is called the "Topside". This is the main part of Corregidor where the headquarters, barracks, war memorial, lighthouse, Eternal Flame, parade grounds, golf course and all the major emplacements are located here. Then there is the "Middleside", where the campsite, aviary, bird park and some ruins are located. And the tail end of Corregidor island is called the "Bottomside". The hotel, administrative building, Gen. MacArthur Park, Gen. Wainwright Park and San Jose Chapel can be found here.

One can also avail of the island tour of Corregidor on a motorized boat or do some hiking on through the hills and forest and discover some landmark ruins along the way. For those who will stay overnight at Corregidor, take the night tour with a walk around of the Malinta Tunnel, it is different and more stimulating.

How to get to Corregidor Island?

Cruises, Inc. provides 2 internationnaly-classed fast ferries to cater to the daily round trip transfers to and from Corregidor Island. Baycruiser II is 145-seater fast ferry with a top speed of 23 knots while Suncruiser II can accommodate as many as 285 passengers and has a top speed of 22 knots. Both fast ferries are docked at the CCP Bay Terminal A, inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex, just beside Harbour Square. For more info and packages that they offer, just visit the website: http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/.

Corregidor is a great experience and is a must when visiting Manila. An 0700 sailing is also recommended on board a fast and comfortable Cat.We booked online through Sun Cruises on www.corrigidorisland.com. There are other operators too.The day is well organised and gives the visitor in insight into wartime Philppines, following the fall of Subic and Manila itself. The bus tour is recommended taking you around the island into the hospital tunnel and escape jetty of General Douglas MacArthur of